A case of follicular B-cell lymphoma treated using clarithromycin

Abstract

We report a case of follicular B-cell lymphoma (FL) treated successfully using clarithromycin (CAM). A 44-year-old man who presented with lymphadenopathy was diagnosed with FL after a histological examination of his biopsy specimens. He was administered chemotherapy with R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine, and prednisolone) following which stable disease was achieved. However, the subsequent clinical course showed partial remission of FL and stable disease with tumor regrowth, each of which was treated with chemotherapeutic regimens. Since the patient was diagnosed with leukocytopenia, he could not undergo chemotherapy for the third regrowth; hence, he was administered CAM. His lymphadenopathy regressed and the levels of soluble interleukin 2-receptor decreased. This case shows that treatment using CAM may be effective in some cases of FL. © 2011 Korean Society of Hematology.